The Office for National Statistics has announced that the National Statistician will shortly be consulting (from 8 October to 30 November 2012) on updating the calculation methodology for the Retail Price Inflation index.

The Accounting Standards Board has been working to replace the battery of existing Financial Reporting Standards (FRSs) and Statements of Standard Accounting Practice with a single comprehensive FRS that will provide consistency and cohesion.

Given current market conditions the Pensions Regulator was widely reported as preparing guidance for trustees of defined benefit schemes, in particular those moving through the actuarial valuation process at the current time.

The Department of Work and Pensions has launched a consultation on new draft regulations for Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalisation along with a proposed possible method for accomplishing equality of treatment.

There has been some relief in the pensions area, and in investment management in general, that we have been granted a three-year exemption from the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation requirement that over the counter derivatives should be centrally cleared through exchanges.

The legislation covering the US Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was drafted in 2010 with the intention of facilitating the identification of US taxpayers having accounts with foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities.

Our view of the impact of inflation on Defined Benefit pension schemes. We review liability implications, investment assets and other products available and the possible impact on the employer covenant.